Ani-fun-me

Notes: Finally! Chapter six is finally done! God! It was like dealing with an irritable baby, you don't know what it wants and it just will not cooperate. But with the help of friends, determination and pure stubbornness I dished it out. some part might seem slow or forced and I apologize for that. And sorry for any mistake you may find. I wanted to post this as soon as would be highly appreciated. Let me know If I made Kankuro too much of a dick. Tell me what you think of Temari and Gaara. What do you think happened to Kyo's Grandmother? Let me know. Also, I would like to thank Yami Mizuna, DeathChibiNeko16 and Dr. Captain Pepper for all their help and advice. Without them this story would be nothing.

 

Song Title Inspiration: Fully Alive - Flyleaf

I thought this song fit one, because of Kyo's personality (pre- death) and two, because of the last chapter and what will take place in this one.

 

Disclaimer: I do not and never will own Naruto. I do own Kyo Izumi and all of the Ocs. Yami Mizuna belongs to Yami Mizuna and Hikaru Sabeji belongs to DeathChibiNeko16

 

"Talking"

thinking

inner voice/ demon voice

 

Chapter Summary: The resurrection...

 

 

The Falling Game...

 

#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

 

 

 

Chapter six… Fully Alive…

 

The magnificent red sun shines it’s eternal light down on the kingdom of Suna. There is little to no wind on this day, making it incredibly hot but also peaceful. Because of this the kingdom is abuzz with activity. The markets overflow with citizens; some rushing to stock up on essentials before the next sandstorm while others are just enjoying the outdoors. The chorus of happy/laughing children echos as they run free, excited to finally be let out.

 

On the roof of the tallest building in the center of the kingdom, stand four people. The King himself and his three children. They stand in front of a  small circular platform.

 

It is that time again. The annual visit to the Human Realm. To sit and converse about useless topics with the stiff council elders. To quietly accept the backhanded compliments and outright insults. To hide who they truly are and put on a facade.  All with the purpose of strengthening their alliance. It is the most tedious and agonizing thing Gaara has ever had to sit through. And he’s been alive for almost two centuries!

The only saving grace is the friends he and his siblings have made on their many, many trips there. If it was not for them (and their father’s insistence to play nice) they would have completely sabotaged all chances of an alliance.

To be truthful, they are the only reason that the red headed prince is excited about this whole thing.

...Though there is something nagging him. Gaara isn’t quite sure what it is.

 

“I’m sure I don’t need to give you three the same speech again, but I will anyway. Play nice. Whatever they say brush it off, take care of your aggression when you get back.” Says the King.

“Yeah, yeah,yeah.” Kankuro mummers, scratching his head through his black cat ear hood.  As he goes to hand Temari the key, ignoring his middle son, he suddenly remembers.

“Oh! Temari. You three can stay an extra week like you requested.” The blondes teal eyes widen, momentarily shocked.

Gaara looks at her in confusion while Kankuro openly questions her.

“What the hell?! It’s already bad enough having to meet with those old annoying fucks for three days! You want to do it for another week.?!” Temari rolled her eyes.

“We aren’t going to be meeting with them the entire time NigNog. Think of it as a vacation.”

“We can have vacations in other places!” He insists.

“Oh shut up!”

Gaara sighs and rolls his eyes. He didn’t want to be in the human realm either but for once he could see the bright side. He wouldn’t exactly say he missed his human companions, but he did enjoy their company and he knew once the meeting ceased he would find the extra time there... fun.  

 

Now, if only these two would stop fighting.

 

The King just watches as his children bicker, slightly amused.  But they were going to be late.

“Discuss this on the other side.” He says interrupting them.  Both immediately stop.

“Sorry sir.” They apologize in unison.

Nodding, he hands Temari the portal key, a circular stone that looked like a mix between opal and moonstone with a star shaped hole in the center.  

The three of them move to stand on the platform. Crouching down, Temari placed the key on the star shaped protrusion. Coming together like two opposing magnets the stone clicks into place.  Instantly the three siblings are engulfed in light.   

All too soon they stand on an identical platform in the Councils main garden. There to greet them are Naruto and Shikamaru. Gaara knows something is off the moment he lays eyes on the blond werefox.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, cutting right to the chase.

Shikamaru rubs the back of his neck and looks at the sky.

“Oh geez this is gonna be a drag….”

 

#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

 

Scattered clouds cover the sky blocking the moon and stars. Humidity is thick in the air, like a suffocating blanket. The chances of rain are very high.

Gaara walks through Konoha Cemetery paying his respects to the dead. More specifically, a certain platinum haired human.

Placed in the ground, surrounded by other members of her family is a beautifully decorated tombstone. He stands a few feet away. Just staring at the modest sized grave marker. Even from his place in the darkness, he can see the epitaph perfectly. Cradled in the wings of an angel it reads:

 

Kyoko Izumi

April 11, 1994 - April 5, 2015

Beloved Granddaughter

Amazing Friend

Brave, Kind, Caring and Forever Missed

 

In the short time he had known her, Gaara’s opinion of the dark skinned girl was that she was a weirdo. She was loud, eccentric, childish and just a bit awkward. And even though she appeared innocent and sweet (which she was) she had the mouth of a sailor (probably from hanging out with the werewolf and his green haired girlfriend too much.)

But despite all of that, Kyo was one of the few people that accepted him. Sure, the others tolerated him and there were some that were friendly.  Still, he is a demon and weather they want to admit it or not, they fear him. No matter of kindness will wash away the impact of his first impression. But even after the festival incident that resulted in her injury, Kyo treated him like he was just a normal person. Not a monster.

Garra could truly say that only Naruto and Kyo were his friends.

 

She wasn’t on the council, so they didn’t get to see each other often, but when they did, her eyes would light up and her smile would be so bright and she would hug him without hesitation. She did the same for his siblings of course, but he was always the first to receive her friendly affections. And she did so without fear that he would become violent or that his sand would perceive her as threat and attack (though she wasn’t much of a threat even when angry.) To be honest, it freaked him out at first. Not just because she touched him and became excited by his presence. But because even after he hurt her, she didn’t fear him. She was never apprehensive. Never walked on eggshells around him.

She considered him as a  friend.

And she would never know how grateful he was for that.

Now standing beside the tombstone, he places his hand on top. Looking at the engraving again, something suddenly strikes him.

It’s the 12th…

Gathering some sand into the palm of his hand, he manipulates it forming it into the shape he wants: A rose. When it is to his liking, Gaara makes a fist hardening it, then, he places it on the flattop of the tombstone.

“Happy Birthday Kyo. Sorry I was late.” He says. Giving the stone a small pat, he starts to walk away. Suddenly, a sound on the wind catches his ear. Stopping, with narrowed eyes and a slightly slanted head, he listens closely. It isn’t just a random sound . No it’s constant. Repeating. It’s muffled, but it’s close. Kind of long and drawn out...with a thumping…

Is that...screaming? It makes no sense but it is the only explanation. He looks around trying to find the source. His eyes land on Kyo’s grave and they widen in disbelief.

 No…

He leans closer to the ground and much to his disbelief the screams are coming from the grave.

That doesn’t make sense...how can she be screaming when she’s...dead..?

Gaara doesn’t give his next actions much though. He has to know the truth. If she’s a ghoul, then he’ll take care of it and let Kyo rest in peace. But if not…

 

Stepping back, he manipulates his sand once again, making the sand hard and sturdy, he fashions them into spears and thrusts them deep into the ground. The tendrils work, softening the compacted dirt and converts it to sand. It is not the fastest process in the world.  Kyo continues to scream and pound on her casket. Clenching his jaw, he concentrates harder, forcing the sand to work faster.

He starts to panic as her screams start to diminish.

How long can a human survive in a coffin?!  

After several agonizing minutes, six feet of hard packed dirt is now soft malleable sand. Wit a wave of his hand, Gaara conjures it into the mini gourd clipped on his belt loop.

Kyo’s weathered coffin lies at the bottom of the hole. Her screams and struggles can be heard perfectly clear now. With a sand spear ready to strike, just is case, he jumps down. Grabbing the upper lid, Gaara rips it open like it’s nothing.

 

There she is.

Alive.

And not “a living corpse” alive.

Completely human alive.

Completely human and hysterical.

 

With the stench of death clinging to her, the fully alive girl thrashes in the confines of her casket crying. Tears stream down from her traumatized eyes.  She is so lost, she doesn’t even realize she’s free.

Gaara doesn’t know what to do but he has to do something. There isn’t six feet of dirt covering her anymore. Her hysterics are bound to attract attention.  So he does the only thing he can.

He knocks her out.

Bypassing her flailing arms, Gaara simply pinches a pressure point in her neck. Immediately, the girl slumps back into the silk lining, out cold.  

 

#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

 

“What. The. Hell. Gaara!”

 

After knocking Kyo out, he picked her up and teleported back to the  house the Council had put them up in for the time being.

Now he sits in the living room with his siblings, trying to figure out what to do.

 

Let’s just say they aren't taking the news all that well.

 

The redhead just stares at his irate sister, not really knowing what to say. It’s not everyday he brings and unconscious girl (who is supposed to be dead) home.  

“You dug her up?!”

“She was alive. She was screaming and crying. I couldn’t just leave her there.” Says Gaara.

“Well then why did you bring her back here?” She asks. He shrugs.

“As much as I'm certain that Kyo is Kyo, I'm not sure the others will believe. “

“He has a point.” Kankuro chimes in, coming from the kitchen. “She died less than a week ago. They’d probably be pretty pissed if Gaara pranced around holding her passed out body. They already don’t like us, that’s just asking to be chased by angry villagers with torches and pitch forks.”

“So you believe him?” Says Temari looking at him.

“I didn’t say that. I’m just saying I understand Gaara’s thought process. Though I would have just left her there. Not taking any chances.” Temari glares at him.

Before Gaara can say something, a loud scream interrupts them.

Gaara jumps up from his position on the sofa and dashes to his bedroom where he placed Kyo. With the other two close on his heels, he throws open the door and flips the light switch. Kyo sits, curled in a corner, crying. The three siblings stand in the doorway staring in confusion.  Once again, she is frantic, writhing around trying to make herself as small as possible.  

“We need to calm her down.” Temari says. “She’s gonna hurt herself and we might attract the attention of a council member.” Two pairs of eyes bore into her. Glancing at her two younger brothers, she sees them staring intently at her.

“Damnit. You own me Gaara.” She grumbles.

Stupid boys bringing girls home and not taking responsibility. Making me deal with undead (possibly dangerous) girl.  Kneeling in front of the panicked girl, Temari reaches out a tentative hand. She’s not scared. She’s a demon for fucks sake, one of the worlds deadliest predators, It’s the reason the council is apprehensive about her and her siblings. But ghouls are hella annoying to take care of and the clean up is a bitch.

Kyo, flinches back, whimpering. Hesitant, she peeks up at the blonde. Blinking several times, recognition hit her.

“T-T-Temari?” She stutters, unsure. Temari gives a small smile and places a hand on her head. Kyo smiles back even as more tears fall.

 

“Sooooo...why do you think she was screaming?” Kankuro asks Gaara. He’s quiet for a moment, wondering the same thing.

“...The dark. She thought she was in her coffin again…” he says, eyes wide. He couldn’t imagine the horror she felt. And he felt bad for not realizing that being in a pitch black room would make her relive that traumatizing experience.

“Damn. That’s pretty deep.”  Says Kankuro.

 

“Come on. You need a shower.” He hears Temari say. She helps Kyo stand on her shaky legs. As they move towards the door, Temari narrows her eyes at the two of them.

“Go make yourselves useful of something.” She says. Without  word they move back towards the living room, giving them space.

 

Twenty minutes later, Kyo sits in a plush chair, arms wrapped around her legs. No longer wearing the white and lilac dress she had been buried in, she is fresh and clean, wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts Temari loaned her.

Much to Gaara’s annoyance, she is stuck in an unwanted staring contest with Kankuro. The middle demon sits on the coffee table, quietly eating an apple, looking intently into her violet eyes.

Apparently he still hasn’t accepted the fact that this really is Kyo. Alive and well and completely human.

“How do I know you're really Kyo?” He asks.

“Seriously?! Just leave her alone NigNog. It’s Kyo. Why is that so hard to accept?” Temari yells. Kankuro just waves his hand at her, but he doesn’t take his eyes off Kyo’s.

“Kankuro.” Gaara warns.

The burnett rolls his eyes.

“Just because you two have accepted her doesn’t mean I have.  She’s not a vampire or any other supernatural creature we know of.  So unless she is Jesus Christ himself, there is no reasonable explanation as to why this human girl has come back from death.” Kyo’s already dull eyes lose a bit more light, which angers the red head.

“Now prove that you’re not some shifter or something.” Demands Kankuro. Kyo makes a little face and Gaara can practically see the light bulb go off in head. With a little more light in her eyes, she leans close to Kankuro, placing her lips near his ear. She whispers something that makes him go stiff and his eyes widen.  

“Do you believe me now?” She asks looking at him. Kankuro nods dumbly for a moment before getting up and going to the kitchen to throw what’s left of his apple away.

Temari and Gaara look on in confusion.

“What did you tell him?” Asks Temari. More light comes back to her eyes as a small smile graces her face.  

“Just a little reminder.”

Gaara looks between his brother and his friend, a non-existent eyebrow raised.  

 

Kyo resumes her previous position, curled up on the comfy cushions. Jade eyes  finally settle on her. Now that she is coherent and non hysterical, he can finally ask the question that has been bugging him all evening.

“Kyo.” She turns her head towards him, giving him her full attention .  “Do you have any idea why you’re...alive?” She stares silently at him for moment.

“I...I didn’t even know I had...died. It was like a dream really...To answer your question I don’t - OH MY GOD!” Kyo suddenly shouts shouts catching hem off guard.

“What?!”

What’s Wrong?!”

“Oh my God! What is it now?!” Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro ask in unison.

Really now. How many more of the outbursts is she goin to have. It is getting old.

In usual Kyo fashion, she scrambles clumsily from the large recliner and stumbles towards the front door.

“I need to go! I-I need yo go right now!” She repeats over and over. Just as she is about to reach the door, a wall of sand blocks her path. She manages to stop just in time to stop herself from running face first into it.

“Calm down.” Gaara’s voice is firm and commanding. She turns to him her violet eyes wild with desperation.

“Something is wrong. I need to go. She said she would be there when I woke up. But she wasn’t. Something must have happened to her.”

“Of course something else is wrong. Not only do we have to deal with undead girl we have to find this mysterious “she” person. It is too late for this.Can’t we just knock her out again and deal with her in the morning.” Kankuro grumbles under his breath.  His only answer is an elbow to the gut delivered by his lovely elder sister.

“But seriously, you need to calm down. We want to help…”

“I would rather not…” His negative response is once again granted by a violent gesture, this time a stomp to the foot. While he curses under his breath Temari continues talking with Kyo.

“As I was saying we want to help but you gotta slow down. Okay?” Kyo nods but Gaara can tell that she still is on the verge of panic, so he places a hand on her shoulder in what is hopefully a comforting gesture. She looks up at him with her big eyes and something twists uncomfortable inside his gut.

What the hell is that?

Before he can investigate this odd feeling a she speaks.

“It’s my obaa-chan.” She whispers. “ She said she would be there when I “woke up”...I think she's in trouble. I need to go home.”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

 

#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

 

Trouble is right.

 

All four know something isn’t right the moment they land in front of the quaint two story house. All the lights downstairs are on, which would make you think that someone is home.

 

But that is not the case.

 

Even from behind the gate they can see that the front door is slightly ajar.

Kyo takes off before any of them can stop her.

 

For someone who has just risen from the dead (and from his understanding is not athletic whatsoever) she sure is fast.

Luckily (or unfortunately) for Kyo the gate is unlocked. She pushes the heavy metal doors open and flies to the front door. Gaara thinks she just going to sail right through, which in his opinion is bad. What if the assailant (s) are still in the house? Kyo throws open the door, but thankfully she comes to a halt. But he can tell it isn’t because she’s waiting for them. Moving up, he sees the destruction inside.  

Though it doesn’t look like a tornado ran through the house, it does look like an intense struggle took place.

Even with all the destruction, the modern interior is obvious. In front to the right are stairs that lead to the second floor. On the left, is an open area that serves as the living and dining room. And directly behind that, slightly separated by a wall is the kitchen.

From their place in the doorway, they can see turned over and devastated furniture, broken lamps and pictures, glass scattered all over the hardwood floors, and scratches in the baby blue walls. The sofa littered in slash marks, with it’s stuffing covering the floor around it. The coffee table is lies in two halfs.

“Well….she wasn’t exaggerating…” Whispers Kankuro, earning menacing glares from both his siblings. “What we were all thinking it.”

“You really need to stop talking.” Temari hisses, completely fed up with the smart ased remarks.

Is he being purposefully instinctive or is he truly an idiot…. Gaara wonders. He doesn't know.

“Make yourself useful and keep watch. Outside.” Gaara orders, also sick of the puppet masters antics. He opens his mouth as if he’s about to protest but the glare Gaara gives him stops him short.

“Yeah. Whatever. Fine.” He grumbles, stepping back, slightly fearful.  Just because Gaara doesn’t go on random killing sprees anymore doesn’t mean he’s adversed to picking the habit back up.

While the siblings were locked in there little argument, Kyo has ventured further into the house. With tears in her eyes, she stops near a fallen chest of drawings. Glass squeaks and crunches under her weight as she kneels down near it. With a trembling hand, she reaches out and  picks up a picture. Turning it over, she looks at the image in the frame. Of her and her Baa-chan smiling happily as if there is nothing to fear in this world. Quietly, Kyo rights the chest and places the picture back in place.

Moving deeper in to her violated childhood home, she tries to fix as much as she can. Gaara and Temari follow, helping as well as looking for clues.

They all know that the old woman had been taken and that she had put up one hell of a fight. From what Gaara could sense, there had been several people in the house, but only one was distinctly human.  

“Gaara.” Temari calls softly as to not draw Kyo’s attention.  Moving over to where she is, near the kitchen, he looks at what she is pointing at: A large shard of glass covered in blood. It is a mix of human blood and something foreign. Dread instantly fills him.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”  Asks Temari. Gaara nods.

“I hope we’re wrong though…” Looking at all the evidence, the possibility that Kyo’s grandmother is dead is very likely.

Please let it be wrong.

Kyo already looks like a fragile little bird. This news, if  true, will break her.